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BC logging company honoured with Aboriginal Business Award

VANCOUVER, Sept. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) are pleased to announce that LTN Contracting Ltd., the largest timber harvesting contractor in the Prince George area of British Columbia, has won this year's FPAC-CCAB Aboriginal Business Leadership Award.

The company, represented by Troy Young, was honoured today in Vancouver at a reception before the CCAB 13th Annual Vancouver Gala.

LTN is a joint venture between the Lheildi T'enneh Band and Roga Contracting Ltd. that endeavors to hire Aboriginal workers. The company has increased its annual logging contract volume ten-fold over the past 15 years and has become a significant contributor to the economic stability of the band.

The $5,000 award celebrates Aboriginal entrepreneurs for their success in a forest products business that exemplifies business leadership, exceptional environmental and safety performance and the delivery of high-quality products and services. The award recipient must also demonstrate a long-term commitment to the Aboriginal community and Aboriginal employment.

"FPAC is pleased that LTN is being recognized for its outstanding business leadership and its contribution to the Lheildi T'enneh Band", says David Lindsay, the President and CEO of FPAC. "For example, LTN has helped support about 60 band members get training and schooling through an Education Fund. This type of initiative will help the forest sector hire more workers from Aboriginal communities."

The forest products industry is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal workers in Canada. Under Vision2020, the forest sector is aiming to refresh its workforce with an additional 60,000 employees by the end of the decade with a particular focus on Aboriginal engagement through employment and business development.

"CCAB takes great pride in celebrating companies like LTN Contracting Ltd," says the President and CEO of CCAB, J.P. Gladu. "Their longevity, capacity for significant growth, and active community support, through their commitment to Aboriginal employment, demonstrate how Canada's Aboriginal peoples continue to make a lasting contribution to the health and prosperity of all Canadians."

"LTN has been good for us all" says Troy Young, GM and director of LTN. "The partnership between Lheidli T'enneh and Roga has built trust between the band and industry. LTN has developed band infrastructure in forestry, teaching, law and other areas through our combined efforts. This relationship has helped guide us forward, with important lessons being provided to all parties involved."

This is the sixth time that the Aboriginal Business Leadership Award has been presented. Two Skills Awards for Aboriginal Youth will be awarded by FPAC later this year.

FPAC provides a voice for Canada's wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. The $58-billion-a-year forest products industry represents 2% of Canada's GDP and is one of Canada's largest employers operating in hundreds of communities and providing 230,000 direct jobs across the country.